Steam-cleaning method and apparatus



Nov. 16,1926. 1,607,034

- S. A. WIER STEAM CLEANING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Sept. 5, 1924 I '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 W "1] n g Wit; 1 Q I I, n" 5 :3

g9, i /0 5% Z 2 #1 E I g J? L; M A .j/ 47 77 i 0 900 OD umwmoooooan V gwvewtm 534/402/ 61km mu;

Nov. 16 1926. 1,607,034

1 s. A. WIER,

STEAM CLEANING ME THOD AND APPARATUS Filed Sept. 5/1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 i 4 5 5 27 Z 5/ y zfi Nov. 16 1926. 1,607,034 A s. A. WIER ST-EAM CLEANING METHOD AND: APPARATUS Filed Sept. 5. 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 16, 1926.

UNITED STATES PAT 1,607,034 ENT OFFHCE,

sroanr A. WIER, or DALLAS, rnx'a s.

STEAM-CLEANING METHOD AND uranarus.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in steam generating and surface treating methods'and apparatuses.

The use of'steam as an agent for removing grease, dirt and other accumulations from the surfaces of'automobiles and other surfaces has been suggested, but its use alone, or its generation for use, at any fixed temperature and pressure, is open in one way or another to decided objections. If superheated steam, as such, or saturated steam of fairly high temperature and pressure alone is used, its temperature is high enough to damage painted and varnished surfaces.

Such a steam, for example, can not be used to clcansethe body of an automobile Without blistering or causing other damage .tothe paint and varnish thereof. If such steam is used to free thechassis and parts of the runsurface accumulations,

nmg gear of an automobile from grease and dirt, it is not only liable to cause injury to the surface finish of the running gear but will rise in a cloud and cause at least permanent discoloration of the aint and varon the other hand, steam of low temperature and pressure is used, the steam may have sufiicient heat and watery content to partially loosen the but its pressure will be insuflicient to blow the partly loosened or freed surface accumulations away. In order to secure a reliable and eflicient cleansin action, particularly for the removal of oif grease, caked dust and mud, it is necessary that the heated cleansing agent be in a watery condition or watery vapor state for immediate condensation on coming in contact with the surface for a washing action, of sulficiently high temperature to free the oil, grease and caked accumulations, while of sufiiciently low temperature to prevent injury to the paint and varnlsh, and it must also be under suflicient pressure'to grease, mud and caked dirt loosened by the action of the heat and to cause a washing action through the movement of the water of condensation over the surface. I have discovered a method of applying a steam cleansing agent in this necessary and desirable condition and which obviates the objections to the use of steam of any fixed temperature or pressure, this disent temperatures and pressures, whereby a Application filed September 5, 1924- serial 110'. 738,142.}

wash away the perature and pressure, to divide this steam 1 into two streams, one of which is used to produce the larger proportion of the watery content, and to superheat the other stream and then mix the two streams together, a portion of the superheated steam being thereby condensed to increase'the water'content of the mixture, perheated steam, which is reduced at the time of mixture by heat exchange to a saturated steam of low temperature and pressure, being utilized to form with the Water of condensation a jet having the desirable characteristics described. The efiiciency of the cleansing jet maybe further increased, particularly for the cleansin of oil or grease coated surfaces, by com ining with the jet a suitable soluble detergent, such as soap, so that the cleansing agent may be employed in the form of a spray composed of mixed atomized soapy particles of water and y of this soap and by its condensation water 'to form with the soap a hot solutlon, which'solution is mixed with the superheated steam, a portion of which condenses and raises the temperature of the hot solution while adding through its water of condensation to its- Water content, the remainder of the superheated steam being reduced to a saturated steam vapor, sure of which is just sufficient to form a jet of proper characteristics. Where soap, a

the preshydrocarbon or other detergent is used, the

superheated steam has a further valuable property in that,'through its raising of the temperature of the solution and its addition by partial condensation to the watery content thereof, anysmall particles of free alkali or undissolved portions of the detergent. will be dissolved so as to properly temper the solution and reduce it to the right strength, thereby obviating the possibility of an over-strength solution being supplied or one which will spot or otherwise mar the surface finishbeing treated.

One object of my invention is to provide a method and an apparatus; hereby steam vide a method and an apparatus whereby" steams of'two different temperatures and may be etliciently employedas agent for the purposes and w tages stated. v.;

, Another object of the invention is to propressures may be readily and efficiently formed and combined for the production of a cleansing jet having the desired characteristics stated.

, surface and without periodic shut downs or interruptions in generation or of the necessity of particular care being taken in the process of generation for the production of steams of the exact temperatures and pressures desired.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a steam generating and mixing apparatus which is simple of construction, reliable and eflicient in action,- and which in operation requires a minimum amount of attention.

Still another object is to provide a relief cock on thesoap orchemical container so that steam pressure -therein may be relieved before said container is opened for refilling.

An important feature resides in securing the soap container to the generator in a permanent and rigid manner so as to prevent separation or relative .displacement of the tank in shipping and handling, whereby the alinement and coordination of the pipe connections is preserved.

A further object is to provide a generator of the vertical'coil type havingits coils intermeshing and alternating in such a manner as to permit the placing of a maximum number... of coils in a given space and to utilize the overlapping coils as bafiles to defiect the upward passage ofthe heat units, whereby the greatest heating efiiciency is l had.

Another object is -to provide :a generator jacket with a removable cap, whereby access may be had readily to the coils for removal and inspection.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily under- .a cleansing the advan- 1 Diametrically alined pipes 16 and service pipe 21.

stood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. '2 is a similar view at right angles thereto, p

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus,

Fi 4. is a vertical seetionalview taken on the'line 44 of Fig. 3,

Fig.5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, 4

Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 7 is a plan view of thegenera-ting unit, and

Fig.8 is an'elevation of the same.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates a vertical cylindrical metal jacket of suitable construction having a suitable fluid fuel burner 11 supported in its lower portion and surrounded by draft openings or perforations 12. Of course any suitable fire may be employed. Above the perforations the jacket has an insulating-lining 13 of as bestos or similar material.

Within the jacket is disposed a coil steam generator unit 14. This unit includes 'a central water column 15 closed at each end. 17 extend from opposite sides of the lower end of the column. These pipes terminate within the lining 13. The pipe 17 has a coupling 18 extending through the jacket and receiving a plug 19. By removing the plug the pipes 16 and 17 may be cleaned out. Thepipe 16 has a coupling 20 extending through the jacket and connected with a water supply or Above the pipes 16 lower ends connected with the lower endof the column 15 and their upper ends connected with the upper end of said column. These coils are disposed in a group about the column, each coil being vertically disposed and the coils of the groups are alternately coiled in opposite directions. By observing Figs. 7 and 8 it will be seen that alternate coils are spirally coiled to the left, while intermediatecoils are spirally coiled to the right. This permits the right hand coils to extend between or intermesh with the left hand coils and vice versa. Such an arrangement allows the number of coils to be doubled in a given space and also provides sufficient over- Fig. 1 is anelevation of an apparatus con- 7 'structed in accordance with myinvention,

and '17 a plurality of vertical coils 22 are arranged and have their lapping of the coils to form barriers or bafjacket. Diametrically opposite pipes 23 and 24 extend from the top of the column over the coils and are received in notches in the upper edge. of the jacket. These pipes are at right angles to the pipes 16 and 17 and with the couplings 18 and 20 support the generator unit and hold it rigidly ,in the jacket. To remove the unit it is merely necessary to' unscrew the couplings and lift the unit. The jacket has an out-turned flange or bead 26 at its upper edge and a conical cap 27 resting on said flange has its lower edge 28 slightly crimped under the flange. This fastens the mp on the jacket,

' but by springing the edge 28 outwardly the cap may be removed. The cap has a collar 29 receiving a stack 30.

The pipe 24 is connected with a safety Valve 31 on the outside of the jacket, while the pipe 23 is screwed into aT joint 32. To

'-' .One'side of the joint is connected a steam gauge33. A steam conducting pipe 34 leads from the other side of the joint and a second steam conducting pipe35 extends downward from said joint. A vertical tank 36 is rigidly and permanently attached to the upper end of the jacket in any suitable manner, as by a pair of channel irons 37 welded to the jacket and to which the tank is welded. The tank extends above the jacket and has a" cap 38 screwed thereon; The pipe 34 in- -cludes a globe valve39 and is screwed into an elbow 40 connected with a pipe 41 extending into the tank. A check valve 42. is also included in the pipe 34 between valve 39 and the elbow and prevents back pressure in the' pipe 34. The pipe 41 is bent downwardly in the tank (Fig. '4) and terminates near the bottom of said tank. 13y rigidly" and permanently securing the tank to the jacket the pipe connections cannot be distorted'or loosened in shipping. Th'epip'e 41 will deliver steam at the bottom of the tank, whereby soap or other matter in the tank may be boiled. p I

A very important feature of the invention is a relief cock 43 mounted at the upper end of'the tank. It will be seen that if-the cap 38 was removed while the contents of the tan-k are under pressure, the operator might sufler severe burns and other injury, closing the valve 39 and opening the cook 43, steam and other fluid under pressure is permitted to escape, after which the ca may be safely removed. {A discharge pipe 44 leads from the bottom of the tank to a T- joint 45 and includes a globe valve 46.

The pipe 35 which extends. down" from the joint 32 is connected with an elbow 47 attached to the extension 48 of a superheating coil 49. The extension passes'through the jacket and the coil is disposed horizontally around the lower end of the column 15* below the pipes 16 and 17. A pipe 50 leads from the center of the coil and is connected with a discharge pipe 51 by a coupling 52 extending through the jacket. The pipe 51 includes a globe valve 53 and is screwed into one side of the joint 45; while a pipe 54 is In operating the apparatus water is sup screwed into the other side of the joint. A

plied through the pipes 21 and 16 to the bottom of the column15. The burner 11 is ignited or suitable fire is supplied.- The water will rise in the column-and also will flow intothe lower ends of the coi1s.- Steam will be generated in the coils and ,flow into the upper end of the column." This steam which will'be comparativelyi wet, i.- e saturated steam.steam at low-"temperature vand pressure, will escape ,intojthe pipes 23 and 24. The wet steam .Erj f the pipe 23 after passing into the T-joint32willbe split into two portions or streams-and flow through the pipes 34 and 35. v

If the apparatus is Ito be used for steam cleaning automobiles or other structural work, a suitable soluble detergent compound is placed in the tank 36. Wet steam from the pipe 34 is discharged from the lower end of thepipe 41 in the tank. This steam partially condenses-and provides heat and hot water, whereby the detergent is boiled and a hot detergent solution is discharged through the pipe 44, ,when the valve 46 is opened. Any solution placed in the tank will thus be heated and diluted with hot water. a f Y j The steam passing down through the pipe 35 enters the superheating coil 49 which is directly over the burner 11. which enters the coil Will be Wet, but when entering the pipe 50 from the center of the coil, the steam will be comparatively dry, but still under a comparatively low, pressure, its temperature and pressure on itsdischarge from the coil 49 into pipe ture and pressure of the. steam passing through pipe 34 and into tank 36.

By opening the valves 46 and 53 the hot detergent solution will flow through the pipe 44 into the T-joint 45 when it will solution and also tend to condense the dry steam,with the. result that a hot steam impelled detergent fluid will be discharged through'the hose 55. Such steam as reaches the work-will contain much moisture and the detergent or other solution will be sufliciently hot to function, but not hot enough to injure surfaces. The quantities of solution and steam may be controlled by manipulating the valves 46 and 53; while the pressure in the tank 36 may be controlled by the valve 39. By combining the hot detergent solution, secured .by the action of a body of wet steam on a soluble detergent compound,

50 being higher than the tempera- The steam more or less lar generator with a body ofsuperheated steam, the.temperature and pressure of the latter is lowered, while the temperature of the mixture as a'whole is raised through the resulting heat exchange, so that the-mixture, jetted charge nozzle, will consist of soapy water in an atomized state c-omnnngled with a low pressure'steam, substantially steam vapor,

.which will at once condense on coming in utilized to the greatest extent and a max-- imum heating surface is exposed.

It is pointed out that the steam carrying with it considerable condensation, when ejected from the hose, will not have the high temperature of a so-called dry steam; also that the solution which is suspended in the steamfiuid will not have a boiling temperature. Such a spray willquickly condense and while the surface is adequately cleaned, it will not be injured. While it is preferred, in -practice,-to employ a detergent solution, containing soap or any'equivalent cleaning agent, a steam jet withoutthe admixture of a detergent therewith may be employed under some conditions. Such a jet will 'con;,

sist, as will be. readily understood from the course if foregoing description, of atomizedparticles of hot water, formed by the the low pressure steam and a'portion of the high pressure steam, together with a proportion of steam vapor or low pressure steam as a result in the change in the nature of the remainder of the high pressure steam by the heat exchange action, when the two streams are brought together, which steam .vapor or low pressure steam will be of sufficiently high pressure, he, from to lbs, to give the required impulse pressure but will condense quickly on coming in contact with the surface, so that no hot steam will be given off to injure the paint or other finish of the surface being treated. This is due to the fact that the presence of the water will reduce the steam temperature but the steam pressure behind the fluid will remain fairly high. In either case, that is, whether'or not, a detergent is used, the heat of the mixture will thin out and soften the oil or grease, while the water, under pressure, will exert a washing action on the surface, thereby securing an efiicient cleansing action without harmful effects. Of

a drier or hotter solution may be required the reduced steam pressure from the discondensation of paint or varnish is to be removed and this may be accomplished by reducing the quantity of water supplied to the generator and the supplying ofless steam to the tank 36, as well as by increasing the heat.

Various changes in the size and shape of the different parts, as we'll as modifications and alterations may be made within the scope of the, appended claims.

What 1 claim, is:

1. 'The method of cleaning surfaces, which consists in generating saturated steam at a low temperatureand pressure, dividing such steam into two portions, reducing the temperature of one portion of the steam so as to produce a condensate consisting of hot water or hot water and vapor, superheating the other portion ofthe steam, mixing the superheated steam wlth the condensate, and pro- 'jecting the mixture by the pressure of such steam against the surface to be treated.-

2, The method of cleansing surfaces,

consisting in generating in large quantities wet steam at a low pressure and temperature, dividing the steam into two portions, utilizing one portion of the steam to heat and by agitation disintegrate a soluble surface treating .medium and by condensation to form therewith a hotsolution, superheating the other portion, of the steam to raise its temperature and pressure, then mixing the superheated steam and the hot solution and thereby reducing the temperature of the steam, and then conducting the mixture to the work.

8. A continuous method of removing surface accumulations, which consists in continuously generating wet steam, dividing the same into two line streams, bringing one line stream of said steam in contact with a.

detergent and causing said steam by heat exchange, agitation and condensation to form with said detergent a hot'solutioli, subjecting the other line stream of the steam to a superheating action, then. conducting the resulting hot detergent solution. and the superheated steam'to a common point and com'mingling the same, and finally spraying the mixture upon the work.

4.. In an apparatus of the character described, a steam generator for generating steam at lowtemperature and pressure, a

tank, a superheater, connecting means between the. outlet of the steam generator and inlets of the tank and superheater for dividing the steam as generated and leading one portion of the steam to the tank and another portion of the steam to the superheater, conductors leading from the outlets of the tank and superheater to a common point of connection, and a distributor leading from such point of connection.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a steam generator for generating steam at low temperature and pressure and outlet of the steam having anoutlet at its upper end, a tank for containing a soluble detergent, a superheater arranged beneath the generator, a heater for heating both the generator and superheater, connecting means between the outlet of the steam generator and inlets of the tank and superheater for. dividing the steam as generated and leading one portion of the steam to the tank and another ,portion of the steam to the superheater, conductors leading from the outlets of the tank and-superheater to a common point of connection, and a distributor'leadingifrom such point of connection.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a der low pressure and temperature, a mixing tank adapted to contain a detergent and for the formation of a detergent solution there in, a solution discharge outlet leading from the tank, a "steam superheater, a steam su ply connection between the. outlet of t e steam generator and the mixing tank, a

steam supply connection betweenv the outlet of the generator and the superheater, and

a commingling and discharge devicecom municat-ing with the solution outlet of'the tank and withsaid steam superheater.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a steam generator for generating steam'under low temperature and pressure, a mixin tank adapted to contain a detergent an for the formation of a detergent solution therein, a valved solution discharge pipe leading from said tank,'a superheater, a valved steam supply connection from the generator to the mixing tank, a steam supply connection from the generator and the mixing tank, a separate outlet'of the steam generator to the steam superheater, a valved supply pipe leading from the superheater and connected with the solution discharge pipe fromv the mixing tank, and a common discharge connection leading from said pipes at their point of connection.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a steam generator for generating steam under low temperature and pressure,

a superheater arranged beneath said generator and coaxially therewith, a common means for heating the steam generator and superheater, a mixing tank adapted to contain a detergent and for the formation of a hot detergent solution therein, a steam supply connection between the outlet of the steam supply connection between the outlet of the steam generator and the superheater, valved discharge pipes leading fronrthe mixing tank and the superheater and having a common point of connection, and a discharge device communicating with said connection.

9. In an apparatus of the character describe a steam generator for. generating steam under low temperature and pressure,

generator forgenerating steam unneath said coils for respectively,

tergent solution,

.nection between the outlet of the steam generator and the mixing tank, a discharge outlet from said tank, a bypass connection between the'outlet of the steam generator and said discharge outlet from the tank, a superheater arranged in said bypass connection, and a discharge device communieating with the discharge pipe from the I tank and with said bypass connection beyond the outlet of the superh'eater.

10. In an-appa ratus of the character described, a jacket, a steam, enerating coil arranged in said jacket or. generating steam underlow pressure and temperature, a superheater 'coil arranged in the jacket beneath the first-named generator coil, a heating means arranged in the jacket beheating both coils, a tank supported by the jacket and adapted to. contain a detergent and for the formation of a hot detergentsolution therein, connecting the outlet of the steam generator coil with the tank, a .pipe connecting theoutlet of the steam generator coil with the inlet of the superheater coil, discharge pipes leading from the tank and superheater coil said pipes being connected at a-common point exteriorly of the jacket, and

a discharge device communicating with said pipes at their point of connection.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, means for producing steam at low temperature and pressure, means ior divid-l ing the -steam as generated into two portions, steam into contact with a detergent so as to form therewith by heat exchange, agitation and condensation of the steam a hot detera p p I means for'bringing one portion of the gent solution, means for superheating the other portion of the steam, means for mixing the superheated steam with the hot deandmeans for discharging the mixture against the surface to be treated. I 12. In an apparatus of the character described, a steam generator for generating steam under low. pressure and temperature, a detergent tank, a cap closing the upper end of the tank, a pressure relief cock at the upper portion of the tank, a steam supply pipe leading from the outlet of the steam generator to the tank and terminating near the bottom thereof, a discharge pipe leading from the tank, a superheater, asteam supply pipe leading from the outlet of the steam generator to the superheater, a steam supply pipe leading from the superheater and connected with the discharge pipe leading from the tank, and a discharge pipe communicate ing with the two last-named pipes at their point of connection. 1 13. In an apparatus of the.character described, a jacket, a steam generating unit arranged in said jacket-and comprising a vertical central tubular column closed at connected with the upper and lower ends. "of-the column, alternate coils being coiled in the opposite direction from the inter- .me'diate eolls, and all of said coils being innltermeshed and overlapping, a horizontal "upe heater coil beneath said steam generatm'g unit, a steam supply connection between the upper end of the column and said superheating c011, an outlet leading from the tank, and an outlet leading from the superheater coil and connected with the tankoutlet. v

'14. In a surface treating apparatus of the character described, a steam generator, a

detergent 'tank connected with the generator,

a superheating coil auxiliary to the gener- -ator, a discharge pipe extending from the generator, apipe for conducting aportion v of the steam from the generator to theftank,

a second pipe for conducting another portion. of the steam. from the generator to the superheating coil, and a discharge pipe connected in common with the superheating coil and the tank.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

STUART A. WIER 

